India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
